The Stubborn White Wizard

All eyes were on Aaron, making him feel immense pressure, and a few beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

The highest-ranking among them is the White Wizard, two Elf King, and a Grey Wizard who is determined to drag him onto the pirate ship. According to his estimation, even the weakest among them is probably comparable to the Grand Archmage he knows, and the strongest, Saruman, may have reached the level of Saint Mage.

He was willing to risk everything in a one-on-one fight, confident he could defeat anyone except Saruman, but there were four big shots here!

Faced with such a lineup, he, a Archmage, appeared weak, pitiful, and helpless. It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous.

"Even if you say that..." Saruman paused, "He is still just a child."

"Great white- White Wizard, you truly have an eye for talent!" Aaron smiled obsequiously, feeling extremely grateful to Saruman. "I won't disturb you any longer; I'll be leaving now."

"Stop!" Gandalf softly.

Aaron stopped and rolled his eyes, speechless. "Is it really necessary?"

Gandalf shrugged, then turned his gaze to Queen Galadriel. "I hope we can give this child a chance to sit in on the proceedings."

Queen Galadriel nodded gently; she and Gandalf were old acquaintances and she would not refuse such a request.

Since the Elf Queen had made her stance clear, even if Saruman was unwilling, he wouldn't let Aaron leave out of respect for her.

The four people sat around a table and began a discussion about the dwarfs' expedition.

The White Wizard disapproved of Gandalf's plan, believing that their trip to Erebor would be a waste of time and would only anger the Evil Dragon Smaug slumbered within it.

Gandalf, however, insisted on his plan, Smaug was almost driven to despair by it.

That evil dragon possesses immense power to conquer cities and territories. It does not obey anyone, but there is a high probability that it will form an alliance with the enemy, which would cause great trouble.

Saruman scoffed at this explanation, saying that their enemies had long since collapsed, and the necromancer Sauron's magic power could never be restored; otherwise, peace in Middle-earth would not have lasted for hundreds of years.

Aaron, listening to the debate-like discussion, yawned, feeling a bit bored.

He personally leans towards Gandalf because he has a sense of crisis, and various omens indicate that Sauron may make a comeback.

However, he didn't care. If the sky fell, there would be tall people to hold it up. If this group of big shots could defeat him once, they could defeat him a second time.

Moreover, he's not from this world, so he might have already safely returned home before Sauron even began his operation.

The most important thing is that he hasn't finished his current task yet, so why think so much?

Aaron glanced at the night outside and silently opened his personal panel.

[Host: Aaron Gaius]

[Magical Energy: 8300 (Intermediate Archmage, the ultimate goal of most Warlock)]

[Talent: Once in a Century (Increases Magical Energy by 3 points daily)]

[Items: Moon Drop (can remove any negative spells), Resurrection Potion (can revive any creature that died within one hour), Magic Carpet, Unactivated Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal]

[Magic Points: 300]

Looking at the last column of numbers, Aaron felt an overwhelming longing for Hogwarts. If he Sign-in in there, he would have at least four figures in Magic Points, and he certainly wouldn't be this pathetic.

"Sign-in, Mr./Ms. Tong."

"Congratulations, host, for Sign-in at Rivendell and earning 10 Magic Points."

Aaron was secretly pleased; Rivendell certainly didn't disappoint him.

I don't have many Magic Points right now, but I can still buy some valuable items in the System Mall.

Aaron's attention shifted back and forth between two items: the Patronus Charm and Captain Jack's Compass.

Both items are worth two hundred Magic Points. The former is a high-level defensive spell, which may have a miraculous effect on undead, giving him more confidence in this world.

The latter, however, would make his adventure much smoother, as having the right direction would save him from many detours.

After hesitating for a moment, Aaron placed an order for the Patronus Charm.

All the information about this Ancient Magic instantly flooded his mind.

The Patronus Charm is a highly difficult spell that requires concentration and a source of joy to cast.

Some Warlock can only summon a ball of white vapor, which is a formless Patronus, and such Patronus have very limited defensive capabilities.

He can summon a fully formed Patronus Patronus, which possesses powerful defensive capabilities.

Aaron's lips curled into a slight smile. If it weren't for the group of big shots sitting here, he would have been eager to see his Patronus.

Although he hadn't officially used the Patronus Charm yet, he had a vague idea of what form his Patronus Spell would take.

In addition, he understands the language of dragons and can summon the second Patronus in dragon form.

As the first rays of sunlight touched Aaron's face in the early morning, he groggily opened his eyes.

Gandalf and Saruman argued incessantly all night, neither able to convince the other.

Aaron was quite impressed with them. He could understand the elves not sleeping all night, but these two were old men, yet they were still so energetic after not closing their eyes all night.

At this moment, Gandalf took out a long, narrow object wrapped in yellow cloth from his bosom. This was something that Radagast had specially given him.

King Elrond lifted the yellow cloth, and a black iron sword appeared in the sight of the three men. A look of surprise flashed in their eyes, and even Saruman fell silent.

"This is the Morgul Blade." King Elrond exclaimed in surprise. This sword shocked him even more than the Orcrist and the Foe-hammer.

"It was forged by the Witch-king of Angmar, and it was buried with him," Queen Galadriel murmured. "When Angmar was conquered, the Northern Peoples sealed his body and all his belongings in the Ruined City of Rhudaur's Tomb."

They buried him deep in a pile of stones; the graveyard was so dark, it would never see the light of day again.

"That's impossible. The tomb is sealed with a powerful spell that can't be broken," King Elrond said.

"How can we prove that this sword came from the tomb of Angmar?" Saruman asked.

"I cannot prove it," Gandalf helplessly.

He felt that Saruman was making unreasonable demands; he couldn't very well ask him to go and find tomb raiders!

"Let's examine the known facts," Saruman said calmly. "A small group of orcs daring to cross Bruinen, someone finding an ancient dagger, a mortal mage claiming to be a necromancer living in an abandoned Ruined Fortress —these are not big deals."

Aaron mentally labeled Saruman as an idiot.

Enjoying comfort is understandable, but shouldn't we at least have some vigilance? With so many coincidences linked together, is it really just a coincidence?

"But the dwarven expedition is troubling me."

"I don't approve, Gandalf." Saruman shook his head firmly. "I can't approve of this expedition. If they had consulted me earlier, I wouldn't have turned back in disappointment."

Upon hearing Saruman's words, Aaron immediately lost his temper.

Cancel the expedition? That won't do.

He signed the contract, they all signed the contract, it was very significant.

Moreover, both system missions are closely related to this expedition. If they are canceled, he won't even know the way, and the time and difficulty of completing the missions will increase several times over.

"That is, Gandalf."

I think I have to go. You know, the expedition can't do without me.

"Of course, I still need to speak with Queen Galadriel. Please tell them not to worry." Gandalf smiled, then apologized somewhat apologetically to Saruman, "Dwarves are much more stubborn than you think. Oakenshield won't stop going to Lonely Mountain Thorin because you object."

"Is that so?" Saruman's expression darkened slightly. "Then I'm afraid I'll have to talk to him and make the situation clear. Maybe he'll reconsider."

Just then, footsteps came from outside, and Lindir entered the room.

"King Elrond, the dwarves may leave on their own."

"It seems the great White Wizard didn't bother talking to Thorin." Aaron said meaningfully, then realized something, and his lips twitched involuntarily.

"Wait, they left without me?"

"Obviously," Lindir said.

"You're really in a hurry!" Aaron gritted his teeth, then looked at Lindir. "There's something I hope you can help me with. I need to borrow a horse."

"This..." Lindir hesitated, looking at King Elrond. "What do you think?"

"Go and do it!"

"Yes."

Lindir led Aaron outside Rivendell. Just as they crossed the stone bridge, an elven warrior led a white steed towards them.

"Tsk tsk tsk! This is way more handsome than my little horse."

"This is an elf-trained warhorse, with first-class stamina and endurance."

It will automatically return to you after you find the dwarves.

Aaron grabbed a few gold coins from his pocket and handed them to Lindir, saying, "Consider it a rental fee."

Don't think it's too little; after all, I don't have much money either.

"I won't bother with this."

Lindir's eye twitched slightly. He was King Elrond, and Rivendell was also a prominent figure. He felt ashamed to accept money from a child.

"Uh..." Aaron scratched his head sheepishly, "Actually, I'd like you to prepare some other things for me."

"What?" Lindir looked at Aaron with surprise and doubt. "What else do you want?"

"Food, preferably dry rations."

Water, just fill one bag, but I accidentally lost my water bag on the way.

If possible, a sword, a bow and arrow...

"Wait, I can understand food and water, but don't you have weapons?"

Aaron immediately untied his bow and arrows, smiling shyly, "These scraps of metal can't compare to elven weapons!"

Lindir was both amused and exasperated, and ordered his men to prepare supplies and new weapons for him.

Thank you.

Aaron, having gotten his fill of fleecing, decisively mounted his horse and chased after them along a small path.

It wasn't until noon that Aaron caught up with them.

"You're actually abandoning me? That's outrageous!"

Bilbo, seeing Aaron, breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew you would catch up."

"Where Gandalf?" Thorin asked.

"He's busy persuading someone even more stubborn than you, it'll probably take him a while to catch up."

Thorin nodded slightly. "Let's move on."

In order to reach the Lonely Mountain Durin's Day, Thorin felt anxious and chose the narrow mountain road.

The expedition team traversed wilderness, climbed snow-capped mountains, crossed deep valleys, and scaled hills before reaching a cliff face.

However, they had only gone halfway when lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a torrential downpour began.

"This is not a good sign," Aaron muttered. "I hate this kind of weather."

"Nobody doesn't hate this kind of weather, especially on a dangerous road where only one person can pass at a time," Balin said. "Thorin, we need to find a place to take shelter from the rain."

"I'm looking for it."

"Wait a minute," Aaron suddenly said, "Don't speak yet."

More than a dozen people stopped and looked at him in confusion in the heavy rain.

Aaron used his keen hearing, pressing his ear close to the cliff face, and a few seconds later his expression changed drastically.

"Get out of here immediately, at the fastest speed possible."

"What's wrong?" Dwalin asked, puzzled.

"The path beneath our feet is alive," Aaron said very seriously. "I just heard breathing, very light but also very long, like a mountain."

Oin seemed to have thought of something, "Impossible, that's just a legend."

"Nothing is impossible, let's go."

"But the rain is too heavy, it would be extremely dangerous to travel at this time," Nori said.

"Where we are standing is even more dangerous," Aaron said anxiously, then looked at Thorin, "You must listen to me this time. This is a hundred times more dangerous than the Ogre. If we don't run, it will be too late."

Thorin was silent for a moment, then ordered everyone to continue.

Braving the heavy rain, the group traversed the cliff face at top speed. During the journey, Bilbo lost his footing and nearly fell off the cliff, but Thorin rescued him in time.

Less than a minute after they left, the spot where they had been standing was smashed to pieces by a huge Monolith, and a Giant as big as a mountain slowly stood up.

During the massive storm, the Stone Giant remained completely unaffected, like a god.

However, another Stone Giant appeared from the darkness at that moment, and they started fighting without any hesitation after meeting.

Every punch and kick they delivered caused the mountain to tremble, and countless huge boulders fell from above, making their already broken bodies even worse.

To make matters worse, a third Stone Giant joined the battle, turning the one-on-one duel into a free-for-all.

They threw Monolith at each other, as if they wanted to crush each other to death.

The giant rocks collided and exploded with tremendous force amidst lightning and thunder, turning the valley into a scene of utter devastation, with the trees also being destroyed beyond recognition.

Gollum!

The expedition team stared in disbelief at this scene of gods fighting, swallowing hard.

"The legend of the Stone Giant is true," Bilbo murmured in disbelief.

Aaron took a deep breath, suppressing his shock.

He's currently just a minor Archmage, he can't handle such a big scene. He might be able to protect himself, but he might not be able to take care of others.

Fortunately, the escape was swift; otherwise, the expedition team would likely have suffered casualties.